Hi my name is Mike Sartini, I'm a Berklee-trained session drummer & mixing engineer. I have been playing drums professionally for over 30 years. From live drumming to mixing, I'd love to work on your next project!
Looking for creative drums? Tired of the same old beats? Hungry for innovative, top-quality drums? In search of the perfect drum sound for YOUR style? Then you’ve come to the right place!
My goal is to create exciting drum parts that will elevate your song to the next level. I am happy to get inspired by a reference track and play the song exactly the way you imagine it – or, if you’re open for creative collaboration, I can bring new special ideas to the table to make your song stand out.
– I record drums, mix and produce out of my personal studio
– I will send you high-quality recordings, edited and produced drums (if requested) as 24 bit 48 kHz WAV multitracks (if not otherwise requested)
– I'll add a rough mp3 demo mix for your approval before final delivery of files
– Typical turnaround time is currently 7-14 business days, depending on project type
– 1 free revision for drums / 3 free revisions for mixing*
– Please include an mp3 of your song, your artistic vision, project deadline, BPM/tempo & key of your song, form or lead sheet (if possible,) file format (if NOT 24 bit 48 kHz WAV), what type of overdubs, what not to play or use, etc. in your initial request
– Work for hire / buyout only (uncredited/anonymous)
– I typically try to respond within 24 hours
– I do not accept communication or payment outside of SoundBetter.
Send me a note through the contact button above.
Credits
Discogs verified credits for Mike Sartini5 Reviews
Endorse Mike Sartini
Mike has played and recorded drums on many of my projects for years. He is easy to work with, takes direction well and always nails it!
Mike produced an album for me and it was the easiest recording project I’ve ever done. He is easy to work with which allows for a comfortable space to create and works in a timely manner. His attention to detail and decades of experience are invaluable. Mike is a true professional and the end result more than proves that. I’d recommend Mike to any musician!
I hired Mike to record and master my Christmas record in 2020. Working with him was an absolute dream. He is extremely knowledgeable and he really took the time to listen to my vision to help create the album. He’s also very professional & patient. In addition, he also respected deadlines and was in constant communication with me through the process, which I really appreciated. If you want to work with someone top-notch, Mike’s your guy :)
Mike has played on many of my projects and the results are always exactly what I was looking for and more! He is professional and competent at any style I give him. A great rock player with the ability to handle odd time signatures, various feels, and grooves with ease. His prices are reasonable and he works quickly, always delivering tracks on time. His studio has a wide variety of drums and recording gear and he will choose the right gear for your project making it even more customizable and sonically appropriate to your project. Working with Mike is a 10 out of 10!
Mike is an awesome musician & collaborator! We've worked on many projects together and he always delivers amazing drum & percussion results, and – on top of that – is always eager to help in terms of mixing, which took my productions to the next level.
I encouraged him to join the SoundBetter community so that he can share his talents with as many artists/songwriters/producers as possible. If you're looking for a reliable, creative, top-professional drummer, or mixing engineer, with TONS of industry experience who can deliver highly musical & meticulous recordings -> Mike is your guy! :)
Interview with Mike Sartini
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Working on a sound sample library.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: To deliver the best quality and performance possible for your song.
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: Ampire-The sound of music: I got to be on the same video with some of my hero's. I played various background tracks to the documentary. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywEMxmGxfUs&t=23s
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Digital. Just easier with the whole process.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: The creativity and making great music,
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: How much for a track with x,y,z? My answer: That depends. Let's talk and see if we are on the same page with what you are asking.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That it does not take a long time. I may put in hours in before I even record a note. And then, after it is recorded, it is still a few hours to edit and produce if you want that service. I can certainly cut down on time and provide raw tracks if that is what you want.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: Deadlines, Artistic vision, format, overdubs, Tempo, what not to play or use.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Come with an open mind. I am trying to give you options or direction that you may not have though of.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: 251 mic, Apollo twin, drumset, laptop, headphones
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I started playing in Band through middle school and high school, had my original band and played musicals.I went to college for Performance at Berklee and URI ad have been playing and recording professionally ever since.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: I can hit hard, but play super light and delicate. This definitely brings out a total different character from the drums or percussion.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: I would love to play and collaborate with Geddy Lee..... No explanation needed.... He's practically royalty.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Always make sure you check phase of multiple tracks on one source (Drums) even if the person says that they already checked. It may be something you do on your end that puts something else out of phase.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Most of my music that I work on is Rock, Movie and Singer song writer.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: My strongest skill is really trying to figure out what the song needs, not what I want to play.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I always try to bring a different viewpoint for a song that the client maybe did not think of. I am good at make grooves sound great without the typical drum grooves (ie. snare on 2 and 4). If 2 and 4 is needed, create clever ways of playing around that to create exciting patterns.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I will get stereo file from client, discuss the client's vision and then listen to it for a day or two. This usually let's me dive deeper into the track to get a better outcome. I will write out a chart if needed and then send them a stereo mp3 for approval.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: Main setup is a Sonorlite 6 piece with Sabian cymbals. I have 5 other kits and plenty of cymbals (Zildjian and Sabian) to choose from. I also have a variety of snares. Microphones: Beta 52 or AKG D-112 for Kick, sm57's for snare, AT25's for toms, KM184's for overhead, SM81 or C451B for high hat or Ride, U87 for mono room mic (if needed), KSM44 or Telefunkin AR-51's for room mics. Preamps include: Avalon 737, UA 4-710, Focusrite ISA 828, UA M610, Millennia HV-3C, TL audio PA-5001.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Drummers that inspire me: Vinnie Colaiuta, Steve Smith, Terry Bozzio, Neil Peart, Stewart Copeland, Bill Bruford
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I typically record and edit drums for client sounds. I can provide raw tracks or fully produced tracks depend on the client's needs.
I was the DRUMMER on all tracks, and MIXED all tracks (except track 1) in this production
- Live drum trackAverage price - $200 per song
- Mixing EngineerAverage price - $400 per song
1/3 free rev included (drums/mix) | typical turn-around time 1-2 weeks, depending on project | *any further revisions acc to amount of work/time, but not exceeding 50% of project price per rev.
- Rush
- Yes
- Genesis
- Protools
- Universal Audio Apollo
- Sonorlite drum set
- a variety of snare drums and Sabian & Zildjian cymbals
- Neumann U87
- Neumann KSM184’s
- Audio Technica ATM25
- Telefunken AR51
- Avalon
- Focusrite
- UAD plugins
- Millennia
- and much more…
